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Citroën C-Elysée WTCC to take on the world's circuits

Citroën reveals the C-Elysée WTCC that will be raced by Sébastien Loeb in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2014.

Published: Jul 24, 2013, 5:32 PM

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The new Citroën C-Elysée WTCC

A month after confirming that it would be entering the World Touring Car Championship in 2014, Citroën can now reveal the model that will be driven on the circuits by Sébastien Loeb. The Citroën C-Elysée WTCC will be the very first vehicle to be designed in accordance with the new regulations, currently being prepared by the FIA for the category next year.

The new Citroën C-Elysée WTCC

Photo by: Citroën Communication

On 26 September of last year, at the opening of the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Frédéric Banzet, Yves Matton and Sébastien Loeb announced that Citroën was considering taking part in the World Touring Car Championship. A few minutes earlier, the C-Elysée had just been unveiled for the first time to the world’s media. Ten months on, these two events come together again with the release of the first pictures of the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC!

Benefitting from the best of the Brand’s expertise in terms of style, development and quality, the Citroën C-Elysée is a C-segment saloon aimed principally at high-growth, international markets such as those in Latin America, the Mediterranean region, China and Russia. Widely acclaimed by customers, the Citroën C-Elysée is already 30% ahead of its initial sales target, with 30,000 orders placed.

“Choosing the C-Elysée as the basis for our WTCC car reflects very clearly our determination to use racing as an active means of supporting our commercial development,” emphasized Frédéric Banzet, CEO of the Citroën Brand. “With rounds in Latin America, Morocco, China and Russia, the WTCC race calendar is genuinely global, and it will be a real advantage to run a C-Elysée, a key driver of our growth, in front of large crowds of enthusiastic motorsport fans.”

“From a strictly technical perspective, the choice of a three-box saloon body was ideal in terms of aerodynamics. C-Elysée was therefore the perfect choice,” added Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, Citroën Racing’s Technical Director. “Apart from this aspect, we were able to install the various components fairly easily. Insofar as this is our first track racing car, we constantly had to ask ourselves questions about the relevance of our choices, but that’s what makes this a particularly exciting challenge.”

Firmly anchored to the tarmac on its 18-inch wheels, the C-Elysée WTCC is quite simply formidable. Featuring an integrated aerodynamic splitter, the front bumper accentuates the radiator grille with its prominent double chevron. The widened front and rear wings lend the car’s bodywork a decidedly racing feel. At the rear, the stylish rear wing will ensure that the car hugs the track.

Under the bonnet, the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC is powered by the same 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged engine as the DS3 WRC. With a wider booster flange, power output is now close to 380bhp. The car comes with a front-wheel drive transmission, controlled by a six-speed sequential gearbox.

After making its first track outing a few days ago, the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC has now begun a programme of development tests. The car will make its first public appearance at the Frankfort International Motor Show (12-22 September).

Technical Specifications - C-Elysée WTCC

Chassis
Structure: Reinforced body with welded, multi-point roll cage
Bodywork: Steel and composite fibre

Engine
Type: Citroën Racing – 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection engine
Bore x stroke: 82×75.5mm
Capacity: 1,598cc
Maximum power: 380bhp at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque: 400Nm at 4,500rpm
Specific output: 237.8bhp/litre
Distribution: Double overhead camshaft
4 valves per cylinder
Fuel feed: Direct injection controlled by Magneti Marelli unit

Clutch
Type: Carbon-fibre twin-disk

Transmission
Type: Front-wheel drive
Gearbox: Sadev six-speed sequential – Manual control
Differentials: Mechanical self-locking differential

Brakes
Front: 380mm ventilated discs with four-piston callipers
Rear: 300mm ventilated discs, with two-piston callipers
Distribution: Adjustable from cockpit

Suspension
Type: McPherson (front and rear)
Shock absorbers: Adjustable

Steering
Type: Hydraulic power-assisted steering

Wheels
Dimensions: 10×18-inch wheels – Yokohama tyres (Ø 660 x 275)

Dimensions, Weught and Capacities
Length/width: 4,577mm/1,950mm
Wheel base* 2,700mm
Track: 1,750mm (front and rear)
Fuel tank: 50 litres
Weight: 1,100kg with driver (regulations)

Citroën

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